dream today

They have arrived. LAST TUESDAY just touched down in Dublin this morning. This band from Pennsylvania was invited to play at our ( Church of Ireland Youth Department ) all Republic of Ireland youth weekend called Anois . The band then built a European tour on the back of our invitation. You can check out their tour schedule here . They fly to Germany early tomorrow for their first show. This is my first re-entry into concert promotion since I was the Concert Coordinator for Taylor University back in '96-'97! All of the promotion is being done under the Dreamers of the Day banner. It's an area I had been wanting to develop within Dreamers for some time. This all feels good. God is good! . After the boys play Germany they'll come back to us for Anois on Saturday before playing three more shows in Ireland (N & S). After that they have some dates in England and Scotland . I was able to coordinate the Irish dates for them. LAST TUESDAY have a

NON CLAMOR SED AMOR PSALLIT IN AURE DEI not clamour, but love makes music in the ear of God Thomas of Celano

I'm grateful to NEXT WAVE for taking up my article 'Eucharistic Revelations' to publish on their e-zine this month under the 'Spirituality' section. This was the first article I wrote in December 2004. It's been a great encouragement to continue developing my word-smith capabilities. If you haven't visited the site and commented on the article, you can do so here . Warning : no flattery - just say it like it is!

I've been reading a bit on Contemplative practices and thinking more about 'becoming'. One memory I have from my time at Willow Creek was a comment someone once made, "God is infinitely more concerned about who you're becoming than what you're doing" . That has stayed with me and helped me focus many times on what the essence of discipleship really is. The image includes a few elements that help me contemplate: an inspired text, good flavourful coffee, blank pages for making my mark, an empty chair ( for the Lord) and what you can't pick up from the picture - good music. What type of space have you created this week?

Here's an image I've been working on for some time that was just released on the Dreamers of the Day website. It illustrates (in my mind) the inter-relationship between Art, Faith & Culture. Art is in a strategic position to be a bridge of communication between the Church and the wider culture. It's a means of keeping dialogue open between these two collective groups, one informing the other. The cannons represent the tension and general suspicion between the Church and culture. The flame and the dove represent the Lord of Creation's active participation in this on-going process of revelation. If you're interested in exploring the relationship between Art, Faith & Culture visit the Dreamers site. More will be revealed about the icon in time to come. Blessings!

I'm in Dublin this weekend on the second of fourteen weekends ( a two year commitment ) with the Irish Jesuits at Manresa House. I've begun a diploma course in the ancient practice of Spiritual Direction . That's not usually the favoured title, but generally the working one. Many people prefer spiritual accompaniment or even Soul Friendship ( 'Anam Cara' in Irish ). The Jesuits seem to have a reputation for this 'art' of walking with others in their journey toward Christ and helping them discern how the Lord is speaking to them. The central focus in all of this is a personal relationship/friendship with Jesus. They also seem to be respected as highly educated people ( some study for 14 years to become ordained ) who engage with culture in order to be a catalyst for Christ in the world. I like all of it. The Irish Jesuits have founded a web site called Sacred Space which is an opportunity for individuals to spend

This morning I took Neve over to our neighborhood McDonalds'. Yes, I know, I could have done better - but she loves it - especially their balloons. We have tried to make this a Daddy - Daughter tradition on Saturday mornings but my travelling schedule doesn't always allow for it. I was just reminded this morning how WONDERFUL our times there are. I am amazed at the rate my daughter is growing - not just physically, but in personality, understanding, knowledge, etc. It is so humbling to know that God has entrusted these 'little people' to us to care for and nurture. I grateful beyond words for my kids, both Neve and Aidan ( he smiled a few times in a row today! ). Neve and I had a great time this morning just eating, looking into eachothers' eyes, exchanging few words and smiling at one another! I love her so much. Just look at that face!

Ok, ok . . apologies for the cheesey reference to MWS. It just happened. Anywho . . . tomorrow morning I head to Longford, Co. Longford for our third and final Anois Leaders' training event at which there may only be four or five. Oh well, we'll go informal! That's one of the beautiful things about the Irish . . very little pretense and low expectations (for some things)! It's always been and always will be about relationships! Tomorrow afternoon following the training I'm driving to the end of the earth - a little town in west Co. Mayo called Aughagower (Awk-a-gower). I'll be meeting with our Diocesan Youth Officer there to look ahead for how he might develop effective youth ministry there. Belfast then home again Tuesday evening. Christy and Aidan are sick - prayers welcome. Peace.

I'm off again . . . I really hope I have a wife and kids to come back to when this month is over. I'm heading to Dublin for the night. I'll be meeting with our speaker ( or 'messenger' as I now like to call them ) for our annual Republic of Ireland youth weekend called Anois . His name is Rev. Ian Cruicshank - don't let the 'Rev.' throw you. He rides around on a motorbike and has talked about wearing a Hawaiian clergy shirt with his 'dog collar' (white band around neck). He's very passionate, dynamic and action-oriented. We're really excited to have him for this year's weekend. I'll be back tomorrow for a few days before leaving again on Sunday for the centre and west of Ireland! I think I need a personal helicopter . . . Here's the key: Green house - where we currently live in N. Ireland / Red house - where we hope to move to in Co. Tipperary in January '06 / Yellow asterix - places I'll be making st